PUPILS at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School were immer-sed in a week of nautical activities to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

The school’s 400 pupils explored the country’s sea-faring tradition in a wide range of activities, from singing sea shanties and dancing the hornpipe to trying their hand at semaphore and decorative knot work.

The historic theme was integrated into virtually all areas of the school’s curriculum:

“It’s a great way to bring history to life while still educating the children in all our core subjects,” explained head teacher Stephen Phillips.

“Navigation, for example, is a good way to teach mathe-matical angles and, in literacy, pupils were writing sea poems.

“The week really fired up everyone’s imaginations and their interest in this important part of our history.”

The week ended on Friday, October 21 in a fun packed finale as pupils dressed as sailors for the day and were treated to a fireworks extravaganza in the evening.